The Milwaukee Brewers are playing like this is their best chance to win a pennant since Robin Yount was at shortstop, Gorman Thomas was terrifying opposing pitchers and Rollie Fingers was closing games in 1982.

The Milwaukee Brewers thought they got a lucky break when Cincinnati's top two starters - Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo - were not scheduled to pitch in their three-game series. A 30-year-old rookie foiled the fun.

Sometimes, figuring out where you are begins with remembering where you have been.We point that out because Saturday marks the 25th anniversary of USA TODAY. For us folks in the red section, that's a whole lotta pie charts. So we beg your indulgence while we return to 1982, scan the sports horizon and see what we have learned.

Prince Fielder hit his 44th home run and Corey Hart also connected to support Yovani Gallardo's six shutout innings, helping the Brewers beat the Pirates 6-1 Tuesday. The victory, combined with Chicago's 5-4, 11-inning loss in Houston, pushed Milwaukee one game ahead of the Cubs atop the NL Central.

Prince Fielder hit his National League-leading 40th home run of the season, Ryan Braun had three hits including a homer and the Milwaukee Brewers completed a three-game sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates with a 7-4 victory on Sunday.

J.J. Hardy says he's still learning. Prince Fielder says he's not even using his brain. Together, the duo controls the fate of the Milwaukee Brewers. Fielder set a franchise record with his 13th homer this month, Hardy drove in two runs -- including the go-ahead tally in the eighth -- and the NL Central-leading Brewers beat the Florida Marlins 4-3 Thursday night.